Selling a house in Lakewood, OH: what the city requires
Cuyahoga County, Ohio · Last checked November 2026
Lakewood requires a point-of-sale inspection only when the property is not owner-occupied, such as a rental. Owner-occupied homes are exempt.
What Lakewood requires
Certificate of Code Compliance (non-owner-occupied only)
- Who does it
- City building or housing inspector
- What is checked
- Interior, exterior and yard of rental properties.
- Cost
- $50 for one to three family.
- Valid for
- 30 days occupied, 60 days unoccupied.
Who to call
Lakewood Division of Housing and Building
(216) 529-6270
Official page
Housing in Lakewood
- Median year homes were built
- 1939 or earlier
- Median home value
- $262,200
- Owner-occupied homes
- 11,927 of 26,876 (44%)
- Total housing units
- 29,105
With half the homes built before 1940, inspectors here commonly flag older wiring, missing GFCI outlets, handrails, and worn exteriors. Fix the cheap items before the inspection.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates for Lakewood city, Cuyahoga County, Ohio.
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How the point-of-sale inspection process works
A point-of-sale (POS) inspection is a city housing inspection done before a home changes hands. The inspector lists code violations. They must be fixed before transfer, or the buyer takes them on with money held in escrow.
- Apply to the city building or housing department and pay the inspection fee. Do this before you list, because some cities require the certificate before you sign a purchase agreement.
- An inspector visits. Depending on the city, this covers the exterior only or the interior too.
- You receive a certificate of inspection listing violations. Show it to buyers.
- Fix the violations and pass a re-inspection to get a certificate of compliance.
- Or the buyer signs an assumption form, and repair money (often 100% to 150% of a contractor estimate) is held in escrow until the city signs off.
| Item | Typical range |
|---|---|
| City inspection fee | $25 to $300 |
| Escrow for unfixed violations | 100% to 150% of the repair estimate |
Read the full point-of-sale inspection guide
If the house fails
You can repair before closing, use an escrow or extension where the city allows it, let the buyer assume the work for a credit, or sell as-is. Compare the options.
Frequently asked questions
What does Lakewood require before I sell my house?
Lakewood requires a point-of-sale inspection only when the property is not owner-occupied, such as a rental. Owner-occupied homes are exempt.
How much does the certificate of code compliance cost in Lakewood?
$50 for one to three family. Typical related costs: city inspection fee $25 to $300; escrow for unfixed violations 100% to 150% of the repair estimate.
How long is it valid?
30 days occupied, 60 days unoccupied.
What if my house fails?
You can make the repairs before closing, negotiate a credit with the buyer, or sell as-is to a buyer who will handle the work. Ask the municipality whether it allows a buyer to assume the work or an escrow.
Who pays, the buyer or the seller?
The ordinance usually makes the seller responsible for ordering it, but who pays for repairs is negotiable in the purchase agreement.
How old are the homes in Lakewood?
The median home in Lakewood was built in 1939 or earlier, and the median home value is $262,200, according to the Census Bureau's 2020-2024 American Community Survey.
Nearby: Greater Cleveland & Northeast Ohio
- Gates Mills Required at sale
- Glenwillow No point-of-sale rule
- Highland Heights No point-of-sale rule
- Highland Hills Required at sale
- Hunting Valley Required at sale
- Independence No point-of-sale rule
- Lyndhurst No point-of-sale rule
- Maple Heights Required at sale
- Mayfield Heights Required at sale
- Mayfield Village No point-of-sale rule
- Middleburg Heights Required in some cases
- Moreland Hills Required at sale
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Sources
- Akron Cleveland Association of Realtors, Point of Sale & Rental Information (rev. April 2025)
- LP Property Group, Northeast Ohio cities with and without point-of-sale inspections (phone survey 2024-2025)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates (tables B25035, B25077, B25003, B25001)
Last checked November 2026. Rules and fees change by ordinance and resolution. Confirm with the municipality before you list. See something out of date? Report a change.